Fluidizer for an ice dispensing assembly of a cooling compartment

Abstract

A fluidizer for an ice dispensing assembly of a cooling compartment. The fluidizer has at least one base member. At least one angular projection may be coupled with or integrally formed with a surface of the base member. Rotation of fluidizer fluidizes ice cubes located in the ice bucket. The ice cubes are fluidized when the at least one angular projection contacts the ice cubes and forces the ice cubes away from the at least one base member. The rotational kinetic enemy imparted by the fluidizer breaks up any fused ice cubes so that the influence of gravity can pull ice downwards for dispensing.

1 . A fluidizer, comprising:
 at least one base member; and   an angular projection on the at least one base member.   
     
     
         2 . The fluidizer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one base member varies in width along its length outwardly from a center of the fluidizer.   
     
     
         3 . The fluidizer of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one base member widens in width along its length outwardly from a center of the fluidizer.   
     
     
         4 . The fluidizer of  claim 2 , wherein:
 The at least one base member narrows in width along its length outwardly from a center of the fluidizer.   
     
     
         5 . The fluidizer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a width of e at least one base member remains constant along its length outwardly from a center of the fluidizer.   
     
     
         6 . The fluidizer of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an even number of opposing base members,   wherein the angular projection is on at least one of the opposing base members.   
     
     
         7 . The fluidizer of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the even number of opposing base members is symmetrically disposed along a center axis of the fluidizer.   
     
     
         8 . The fluidizer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the angular projection comprises a pair of ramps sloped from opposing edges of the at least one base member.   
     
     
         9 . The fluidizer of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the pair of ramps meet along their top edges to define a top edge of the angular projection.   
     
     
         10 . The fluidizer of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a height of the top edge of the angular projection varies in length outwardly from a center of the fluidizer.   
     
     
         11 . The fluidizer of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a height of the top edge of the angular projection remains constant.   
     
     
         12 . The fluidizer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 The at least one base member has an opening formed therein.   
     
     
         13 . The fluidizer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the angular projection comprises a cone.   
     
     
         14 . The fluidizer of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an odd number of base members; and   a plurality of angular projections.   
     
     
         15 . An ice dispensing assembly, comprising:
 a fluidizer, the fluidizer comprising at least one base member and an angular projection on the at least one base member.   
     
     
         16 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an ice bucket.   
     
     
         17 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the fluidizer serves as a portion of a bottom surface of the ice bucket.   
     
     
         18 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 rotatable blades; and   a motor.   
     
     
         19 . A cooling compartment, comprising:
 an ice bucket; and   a fluidizer, the fluidizer comprising at least one base member and an angular projection on the at least one base member.   
     
     
         20 . The cooling compartment of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 an ice dispenser.